The Vietnamese government is advancing its restructuring process through substantial budgetary adjustments and organizational realignment across the country. Following resolutions from the Politburo and the National Assembly, the initiative aims to streamline the government’s administrative apparatus by merging various levels of local governance, addressing overlapping functions, and enhancing service delivery.
Since 2023, Vietnam has been actively pursuing the amalgamation of its municipal and district units. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, during this restructuring phase, 51 provinces and cities have been involved, with 25 districts across 18 regions identified for restructuring through 2025. The need for these actions stems from resolutions aimed at simplifying administrative tiers, particularly focusing on the elimination of intermediary levels, which have often led to redundancy.
Specifically, the Politburo and the Party Secretariat have mandated the Government Office to collaborate with various national organizations to devise plans for reforming administrative components of the state apparatus. This includes significant transformations and adjustments to the governance models of local agencies.
A report from Tuổi Trẻ highlights the challenges and specific cases where adjustments are necessary. For example, 13 districts are exempt from restructuring due to special characteristics as outlined by resolution 35/2023 from the National Assembly's Standing Committee. Concurrently, five districts have been highlighted by local authorities as requiring special consideration due to subjective and objective factors making restructuring impractical for 2024.
Following these consolidations, the total number of district units across Vietnam has decreased from 705 to 696, reflecting the elimination of 9 districts. The restructuring has been uneven; for instances, provinces like Nam Định, Bà Rịa - Vũng Tàu, and Nghệ An have seen variations of one or two units removed from their administrative counts.
This reduction extends beyond just district levels—1,228 local council units have been reported as part of the restructuring initiative. Initially, 368 councils will remain unchanged due to unique local factors, whereas 664 councils are actively undergoing consolidation. With these adjustments, the total number of council units has dwindled from 10,598 to 10,035, marking a significant decrease of 563 units.
Despite these reductions, some units still do not meet the necessary standards for natural area and population size as defined by earlier regulations. The Ministry of Home Affairs has noted disparities post-restructuring, identifying unqualified units both at the district and commune levels. For districts, of the new formations, two do not meet the area and demographic criteria, and five qualified units under newer standards still lack compliance with older legal criteria.
This major administrative overhaul is backed by the government, which is poised to continue refining its operational framework through the upcoming phases of reforms projected between 2026 and 2030. The goal is not just to cut down the number of administrative units, but also to create more efficient functions and responsibilities, indicating the Vietnamese government’s commitment to governance improvement.
Alongside the structural changes, the government emphasizes the importance of legally compliant transitions and maintaining service continuity during the restructuring. They are committed to ensuring all operations remain transparent and accessible to the public, enhancing trust and compliance with the rule of law.
Critics may argue about the merits of shrinking administrative bodies, highlighting potential impacts on service levels. Still, government spokespeople assure the populace of uninterrupted delivery during shifts. They have clearly articulated mandates to adjust all necessary administrative processes without delegitimizing previous legal papers or disrupting the standard operational flow.
By establishing clearer frameworks and responsibilities, Vietnam aims to not only streamline governance but also respond to the demands of contemporary socio-economic challenges. The restructured approach seeks to enable local governments to adapt swiftly, govern efficiently, and work collaboratively with citizens, businesses, and diverse community sectors.
Conclusively, Vietnam’s government restructuring and corresponding budgetary adjustments depict strategic realignment efforts aimed squarely at effective governance and socio-economic responsiveness. While the process remains multifaceted and complex, the tangible outcomes of less bureaucracy and enhanced operational clarity are anticipated to yield direct benefits to Vietnamese citizens as the reforms roll out across the country.